Handyman Wire - Ceilings

Balancing a Ceiling fan

My ceiling fans came with clips and a small weight that you could attach to the top of the fan blade. I assume you have these. Place the weight on each fan blade, successively and spin the fan by hand. This way you should be able to tell which fan blade is in most out of balance. After you determine the fan blade to attach the weight, you adjust the weight along the blade (by trial and error) after allowing the fan blades to get up to operating speed (electrically). The further away from the motor housing, the greater effect, so start out with the weight close to the motor housing.

FAQ's and Previously Asked Questions

Q: I have a textured family room ceiling that got wet from a leak above. The leak was fixed and the damaged area measures approximately 2'x2'. It is bubbled and pulled away from the ceiling. How do I repair this without affecting the rest of the 20'x12' area?

HandymanWire - Ceiling Questions and Answers

Repairing a Textured Ceiling

I have a textured family room ceiling that got wet from a leak above. The leak was fixed and the damaged area measures approximately 2'x2'. It is bubbled and pulled away from the ceiling. How do I repair this without affecting the rest of the 20'x12' area?

I fixed our ceiling with a "texture in a spray" spray can that I found at a home repair store. It worked great, and I'm new to home repairs. Practice a little before spraying on the ceiling to get the feel of it.

I also used the "texture in a spray can" I had to use 3 layers to build it up slowly. The product I used is called Homax Easy Touch - Knockdown Texture. It cost me about $12.00 at the local home repair outlet. According to the address on the can Homax is located in Bellingham WA. It covers about 16 sq. ft. I was satisfied with the product .

Removing a Stain from a Spray Ceiling

I have water and mildew stains on my ceiling, is there a way to remove or cover them up without repainting the entire ceiling?

You can get rid of mildew with bleach/water mix but the water stains are another story. They can not be removed. If this is a bathroom or a moisture problem area they will just keep coming back. Prime with a stain blocking primer then paint. Most bathroom and kitchen paint has fungicides to help prevent this. If it is a high moisture area install an exhaust fan or open windows or install a dehumidifier. ALL of these will help PREVENT this from happening again.

Popcorn Patch Job

Is there a product that can be purchased easily to spray a patch of ceiling popcorn back on that has been damaged? I have tried the type you spread on, but the size of the popcorn is smaller and tends to took like a poor patch job.

I have used the pressurized cans of popcorn patch. 1 can is about $9 and will cover about 4 sq. ft, they claim. Messy is an understatement. I...

HandymanWire - Moisture and Vapor barriers

Will opening windows help reduce the humidity in a basement in warm weather?

Answer: Usually opening windows is not a good idea. Humidity in basements is high in the summer because the basement is cool due to the temperature of the earth surrounding it. When warm outside air enters the basement its relative humidity increases as it cools. Opening a window usually does not provide enough ventilation to increase the temperature but it does provide more air with more moisture. The best way to keep basement humidity under control in the summer is to keep the basement as tightly closed as possible and if necessary run a dehumidifier.

Vapor Barrier on Basement Walls

Question: Where does the vapor barrier go when finishing a basement wall?

Answer: Vapor barriers are intended to stop water vapor in a home from passing through the drywall into the wall cavity and condensing on the inside of the sheathing. Vapor barriers always go on the warm side of the wall. In this case that is the inside of the new stud wall. The stud wall you add will make the foundation wall colder and therefore condensation is more likely to form on it if vapor enters the wall cavities. The condensation will decrease the effectiveness of your insulation, and can cause fungal growth and decay. Vapor barriers don't necessarily take care of the major source of water vapor entering wall cavities which is air leakage. Be sure to seal all penetrations of the wall carefully. If possible, avoid having electrical outlets and switches on the outside walls.

If you aren't absolutely sure that the foundation wall will be dry you may want to run a vapor barrier half way up the foundation side of the wall as well.

Vapor Barriers in Ceilings

Question: Do you put a vapor barrier between the roof and the insulation and/or between the insulation and the drywall?

Answer: The vapor barrier always goes on the warm side of the insulation, which is between the drywall and the insulation. Seams between sheets of the vapor barrier should be sealed (usually taped) and any penetrations for electrical fixtures must also be sealed. As much as possible the wiring and electrical fixtures should be installed on the room side of the vapor barrier. A vapor barrier is not needed or desired between the insulation and the air space above it. One of the functions of the air space is to permit any moisture that migrates through the insulation to be carried away.

Question: Is it true that vapor barriers in ceilings cause problems?

Answer: Building codes require a vapor barrier on ceilings to prevent moisture from moving through the sheet rock or plaster into the insulation. Some contractors have had problems installing vapors during the winter. When they do the drywall finishing, the drywall on the ceiling may sag from moisture. This is usually because they have not insulated the attic before beginning the drywall finishing. Moisture from the drywall finishing condens...

HandymanWire - Suspended Ceilings Questions and Answers

Suspended ceilings

Is there a simple, fool-proof way of putting up the wall moldings for a suspended ceiling-I'm having a hard time matching up level lines to install the ceiling properly-I've tried using a level and also measuring from the basement floor which is concrete and quite level.

The approach that I have used it to measure down from the floor in each corner. Then snap a line from corner to corner. The floor above is liable to be the most level and consistent elevation and marking in the corners means the sides WILL line up even if the corners are not EXACTLY the same elevation.

Thanks for your quick response but I'm confused-do you suggest that I measure down from the floor above (I'm in the basement) the height that I need the ceiling to be at then snap a line between these marks in each corner?

Yes measure down from the floor above (or the tops of the joists.) The floor above is reasonably the most level constant to measure from.

Suspended Ceiling Installation

I'm planning to install a suspended ceiling in my basement and would like to maximize the ceiling height as much as possible. There are a few obstructions (ducts) in one part of the room that I'd like to box-in rather than lower the height of the entire ceiling. I haven't seen much info on how to box in ducts or other obstructions in suspended ceilings. I can't visualize how to attach the hardware and panels once the frame is built. Can anyone help me out?

Yes, I do not think you will find much on this... Usually the ceilings are installed at one level below any obstruction. You can box it in using a sheetrock wall attached to the ceiling and then suspend the ceiling from that part as you would the wall. Don't try to box it in with suspended ceiling framework and panels. Frame it in conventionally and sheetrock it.